Police Arrest 10 Suspects in Polygamy Sweep in Southern Israel

Israeli police arrested approximately ten individuals in the southern town of Bir Hadaj on Wednesday as part of a large-scale operation targeting polygamy. The raid, led by the Southern District's Central Unit and its polygamy department, involved multiple law enforcement agencies, including the National Guard and canine units.

Authorities searched five compounds believed to be associated with suspects involved in polygamous marriages. During the searches, investigators seized documents, marriage certificates, wedding photos, and mobile phones, which will be examined as part of the ongoing investigation. Hashish was also found at one of the locations.

Investigators suspect that the five main suspects are married to a total of 15 women and have fathered 67 children. Among those detained are a 25-year-old man allegedly married to three women with eight children, and a 32-year-old man reportedly married to three women with nine children. Other suspects are also being investigated for multiple marriages and large families.

The police stated that polygamy is a "reprehensible and serious phenomenon" with wide-ranging consequences, including harm to women, children, and the social fabric. They emphasized their commitment to enforcing the law against polygamy and related offenses, protecting victims, and prosecuting offenders.

Further investigative actions are planned, and the case files will be transferred to the Southern District State Attorney's Office for review and potential legal proceedings.